LOVING FRIDA, Shining Star: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Paint Party Friday

Welcome to Paint Party Friday 29, thanks to Eva and Kristin for their hospitality. Happy end of the month to you and of course a happy coming October to you too. I so look forward to the cool nights as right now it's still very warm. Thank for stopping by last week as I did yours too. It's always enjoyable when visiting your little cyberspace homes.

What I have this week are TWO Works In Progress (wips) which aren't at present getting much of my time. Here are two skelly heads that I'm actually having a hard time with. The one on the left still needs more color and on the right I haven't really started it, except for the unibrows and a little color.

The Unibrow Connection

Then this canvas was started and messing it up has been from the start so not sure when it will get finished or what is going to be done with it. I wanted dancing skelly's dancing out in the night and still need to work on them and probably a few more skellie's will go in there somewhere. Give me suggestions please, I always look forward to suggestions.

DANCING IN THE NIGHT

So these WIP's will get my attention when the time is right. I've been reading community newspapers as to where there will be Day of The Dead celebrations out this way. I want to display somewhere my celebration, this year is not likely, maybe next year.

So there you go blogger PPF'ers! Don't forget to stop by the other participants and enjoy their work. I hope you all have a great weekend, take care and Viva La Vida!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

My Day Out ALONE

I took some advice and just went out for the day by me self. Tee hee. Well, alone with no one. No girly friends, no husband, me, myself, and I. It did relax me. I started out by going to this small eatery that I had thought was a tamale factory but instead turned out to be a Mexican eatery. It's called La Casa Adobe. I stood outside and took a few pictures and then just sat out there for a bit to get fresh air and look at the cars going by and to "gather" my thoughts.

Sat out here for a bit and talked to the young girl who was sweeping and watering down. They had just been open an hour or so. She said the lunch crowd was huge because of the hospital down the street and all the business buildings around.

After a few moments I went in and looked at the menu and spoke to the owner. They've been in business for years she said, and they had at one time just made tamales but because they were getting so many people asking for other food, they changed their menu. Now tamales are only once a week. I did not eat all this food you see. Cut the picture in half and that's about what I ate. Since I've cut back on eating, this was just too much food.

Went walking about the mini mall to burn off some of what I ate, and just took my time walking so as not to injure my knees.

This store was like a boutique, and brother did it smell great in there. Just looked around, didn't need anything but I lingered because of the scent of incense and candles.

I spoke to this lady whose name was Carol and she said she comes by there every day just to look around and enjoy the scents.

A clothing shop and the clothes are very expensive.

Ready for Halloween. Lots of candy's, masks and quaint things. Corn candy too.

A little fuzzy pix of a bakery with lots of goodies. There were a lot of people coming in to get ready to eat lunch or have a coffee and muffin.

Which is what I did. It was a lot better than what I had earlier. I really didn't enjoy the Mexican dish.

Went back outside and seen that the mall was starting to fill up, so I took another look around....

One last look at this store and it had a wedding dress, ah no thank you not in this lifetime.

As I passed another window I noticed the time and yes, time to go home. I'd been out since about 8 am, here and there and here. Ah home.

So it was a good few hours out and my favorite stop was at the Casa Adobe just because it looked great and I love the color RED.

I've finished visiting and leaving comments at PPF'ers blogs and feel good about that. Thank you for stopping by my blog to visit. Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I feel relaxed and happy about my day out.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

2 photos do not an album make or a post for that matter.

Just a couple of photos of what is going into my Dia de Los Muertos day.

As of late my days have been very tiring, still though the thought of the cool days brightens my spirits. My blog is lacking in posts but just remember that I know you from your blog, spirits, and thoughts and will pop in from time to time. I will catch up one of these days.

In the meantime we all are doing what we have to do and it will get even more hectic as the holidays roll around....again. Another year over soon and then another birthday rolls around. I'm old as the hills now but still feel 30 and look 40ish. or so. No? Yes? Maybe so? :))

Have a great week. I'm going to buy a new camera because my pictures just aren't coming out right. Any suggestions?? On a camera that is.

I am ready to hit the sack. Lately canvas have been finding their way back to me and right now there are some skellie's being painted on a 16 x 20 canvas. I messed it up though and have to repaint areas.

Goodbye for now. Viva La Blog y La Vida!

(I will get to your ppf post very soon. I've done some, but still have half to go. It takes a little while.)

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Paint Party Friday

HAPPY PAINT FRIDAY Numero 28 to all!! Hope you have a great time visiting the participants and thanks to Eva and Kristin. This is being posted today because tomorrow will be a very busy day out of town. I'm glad the season is changing and sure am looking forward to the Fall season. Isn't it amazing how time is just passing by so fast? Everything seems to be changing at the blink of an eye. So on with my contribution for this week.

I bit off more than one can chew. Painting roosties is not my cup of tea and these are not the colorful roosters but the black ones. I seen a black rooster on one of my husband's calendar's that he gets from the feed store and decided to go by that. In other words, the easy way out was taken, because I didn't know what else to do with a rooster.

"Follow The Leader"

*****

Here is the finished canvas from the other day when two white spots appeared on the side of this lady. I've titled it:

"I'm Not Ready Yet, But Hand Over that Gold"

They have come for her but she isn't ready. She sees the gold the skellys are sporting on their teeth, and prefers the gold to leaving this world. Who wouldn't. I'm not ready to leave either. Got Gold? :)

This canvas will go up on the wall in the studio, for the Day of The Dead.

Okay, I have to admit that I have been slacking on doing my visits and that's because my schedule has been so messed up. I also got involved with Fine Art America of which I'm ready to bow out of because it is too time consuming and I feel this addiction that I don't like. That's one of the reasons I don't do FB. A lot of gabbing going on and time consuming. I may just leave my photos up there on FAA, but not visit daily. I have to admit that I'm not cleaning house the way I should and you know me, I was always cleaning. One has to get back on track. In any event, enjoy your visits at the other PPF'ers blogs and Happy Paint Friday. Have a wonderful weekend. I will make time to get to your blogs during the weekend and the week ahead.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Follow The Leader is coming along slowly

Hello peaceful bloggies. Hope all is well and you are enjoying the elements. Quick post because I've got to get back outside and do "stuff." First I am cooking beans today and using my crock pot. I added a ham hock for taste only, onions, green chili's from the garden, garlic and now I don't have to worry about running back inside to keep putting water. I'll keep an eye on them while I'm still able to enjoy the semi-cool weather outside. We are doing good on still not EATING meat. The ham hock is just for taste.

So this is as far as I've gotten on the "rooster's" so my husband says they are, and so do you for that matter. I think I bit off more than I can chew. I have no idea how to paint a rooster. I'll wing it though and whatever comes of it will do. COCKA DOODLE DOO!!! Tee hee. lol, guffawing.:DDD

Then I have also been working on this lady and two round circles that appeared alongside her. Who or what they will be remains to be seen.

Of course I've taken the time to stop and smell the roses, but in this case the MARIGOLDS for EL DIA are starting to appear here and there and filling the studio with intoxication. Such a beautiful scent. The seeds will be saved for next year. It's good to be ALIVE.

I have to go now because the day is going by too dern fast. I want to enjoy every moment of it with my husband. Have a wonderful weekend and I promise to get to your PPF's this evening and there are other blogs I need to visit too. Enjoy your day and evening. Viva La Vida!!!!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Paint Party Friday

Happy Paint Friday

27-WOW, does time go by. Thanks Eva and Kristin for your hospitality. Don't forget to stop by the other participants who are so very artistic.

Here is my contribution this week. These are chickens or roosters, not sure yet. I cut them out with my handy dandy scroll saw and sanded a little. It's very thin wood, easy to work with. They are all out of shape but who really cares, they'll work just fine.

I've called it:

"FOLLOW THE LEADER"

So I'm priming them with a few coats of paint until I find a picture of a chicken or rooster. They look like roosters to me but we shall see where it goes.

Gave them another coat of acrylics and letting them rest for now. Later this evening they'll get another coat that will be the base for whatever colors are added. Maybe they'll be red chickens and that will be easy as pie, I think.

Okay, so that's my short PPF post, hope you like these little chickys, roosters. They are coming along.

Enjoy your weekend and take care. Happy Blogging to you all. I promise to try to get to all your blogs this week. Last week I missed a few and I'm sorry. The preview isn't working so I hope this comes out okay.

Just a hello

Hi everyone, hope all is okay. I can't believe I haven't blogged for a few days. I'm just all caught up in so many different things right now and just thought I'd pop in and sing you this song:

Unforgettable, oooooh that's what you are, Unforgettable, yah yah yah. :)))

Anyway I am home today so I wanted to show you my studio again. Pictures are fun though. I have a short post for Paint Party Friday and not really much to show because there hasn't been time but that's for later tonight.

In any event....

I got these plastic shelves at Home Depot.They were clearing them out and I only paid 3 dollars each. Now that's a bargain so I bought 5 shelves.

I made this little box for El Dia and I'm working on another. The heart and Skelly's are clay. Stephanie inspired me. She always inspires me though. She is so creative.

My husband who is always doing things for me, bought me this "creature." I mean I appreciate it so much because it really cools off the studio but man oh life, it's huge as you can see. Well okay it's not that big, but it's big. I have it at the side where it is semi-hiding.

This window here at the front of the studio will be removed and a bigger window will take it's place. I'm looking forward to that.

Of course some of my favorite in the world books.

Some paints organized, whoopee!

Pens, pencils, markers and a lot more.

And when I want some real time alone, I come in my studio, lock the door and put my sign out, "Do Not Disturb" and make some coffee or pour some wine and just sit here in my rocker like a little ole lady and rock back and forth. I think, sometimes pray, sing, or just close my eyes and really mellow out.

So hello blogger buddies, and goodbye for now. I have to upload a painting to FAA. See you later this evening with my little post for PPF. I love PPF, it's a lot of fun. Take care and I honestly think of you all.

Ariverderchi, Sayonara, Hasta Luego, Goodbye.:))

Monday, September 12, 2011

3 TABLES, I'M NOT BRAGGING...HONEST:))

Happy week to everyone, hope you enjoy it. I've been thinking of the post I did a couple of days ago on enjoying the afternoon with a Margarita, etc. I re-read it and seen that I sounded a little braggadocio when I said, "yes, 3 tables...we have 3 tables outside." I didn't mean it to sound like I was bragging, just that we were going to sit and enjoy our drink at one of the tables outside my studio.

Let me explain....

This is the table we were sitting at to have our margarita (they were good). We had to put the umbrella down yesterday, because we have been getting gusts of wind. Anyway, this table is a very old patio table that I can't get rid of. It belonged to my son, therefore it will always be with me. This is table 1.

Table 2 is right outside the back door on the first patio, yes we have more than 1 patio and I'm not bragging, it's just a big yard. Tee hee.. This table I bought from my friend for 40 dollars and we use it at times but mainly in winter when it has gotten cold and we can turn on the outside fire and just enjoy. It's an old table as well, from the 50's I believe. So I can't get rid of it either. Right now it's housing chili from the garden area. There is a variety and they need to be separated, washed and probably given away.

Table 3 is in a rose garden area as well as my veggie area. Old table does get used. I think I bought it at Walmart many moons ago.

Ah, Marigolds...love them so. I'm going to go pick up some more for El Dia.

So there you have my tables, all old and grimy but full of memories. The only thing we are rich in around here is the ZEST for life and living. Just wanted you to know the old tables are part of what is called, "situated." They are situated as we are too. I never brag, honestly. At least I try not to do that. Thank you and you may have a sit now, at one of my oldies but goodies tables. Tee hee. Take care.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Memories

It's a somber day in remembrance of those who left this earth 10 years ago. I was seeing my husband off to work when I heard on CNN what was happening. He lingered a few minutes to watch with me and then had to go but he said he turned his radio on to listen as he drove to work. He said later that the traffic was moving slow and people in their cars seemed to be in shock. I sat and watched and cried all day, and we still and always will CRY.

So this isn't a post but a

SALUTE in REMEMBRANCE of those who died. We will NEVER FORGET, it will always be with us.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS US ALL.

Friday, September 9, 2011

How to Enjoy The Cool of The Eve (with strawberry margaritas)

We, hubber's and I decided to and have been sitting out in the evening in the backyard all week. Once the dinner is over, the birds in the cages fed and watered and plants watered, we all gather under the umbrella. Well the doggies gather around us. I didn't get pictures of them though, just a few shots of other things.

Outside my studio in the evening

The lights are on in there wasting electricity but I love to see the studio from the outside at night.

Taking a peek inside to see the messy shelf's that I'll get to one of these days. :)

See how messy, I need a maid. Not like the ones in "The Help," but just someone to come in for one day. My heart goes out to all those women during those days that served as "Maids," and had to suffer so much. I just read the book on my Kindle. I was reading Ariana's book but put it down to read The Help. Intense read.

Hey, have a looksy. Come right in and you can paint and have yourself a ball. Then you can clean my studio, tee hee.

The wind blows at night and the prayer flags blow right along with it sending their prayer's out in the world, to all those prayed for when the flags were made. We would hope that the prayer's would be answered to increase life, fortune, health and wealth, as well as happiness in this world.

The candles are lit casting moving shadows because the wick has a memory of it's own. Some people believe that the different movements are visitors from beyond.

Then there is the outside tables. We have 3, yes 3 tables in the different patios. This is just right outside my studio. On the table are candles and glasses and STRAWBERRY MARGARITA'S. Ayeeeeee!

See, I told you so. tee hee. I had a whole packet. It makes about two drinks each packet and they are very good and relaxing. (hic)

So my bloggie friends, I leave you with this thought...tonight we do the same, only with

POMEGRANATE MARGARITAS

Don't worry, it's not an everyday thing, just right now while it's still warm and the nights are cool and calm. ::hugs:: Have a great weekend.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Happy Paint Party Friday

Hello everyone and welcome to Friday's PPF #26, thanks to Eva and Kristin. I'll be quick because I'm packing a bag and making dinner at the same time. This is a painting done last year or so while experimenting with mixed media, maybe longer, but I did touch it up a bit and retitled it. It's going over to my FAA site. Hope everyone is doing good and I am still so happy to be a part of PPF. Just wish there was more time. The title of this painting done in acrylics and pastels is:

"I Will Not Say Cheese"

Hope everyone has a great Friday and weekend. Take care and be well. ::hugs::

Monday, September 5, 2011

New sign for El Dia

Spent a little time in the studio making a few signs, this was one of them.

And these little signs on scented board.

Today's dinner was CORN ON COB

SLICED CUCUMBERS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR, S&P

More Stuffed Jalapenos and MILK

Wow, I can't believe we have only eaten meat once in the whole week. We are liking this, for now and hopefully it will last. I'm getting a yen to make tamales though. They may have to be veggie tamales.

Hope you had a great day. Now go have a great week.

Back to normal for now. Take care.